In Memory of Shelly Jenkins
June 12, 1977 – September 27, 2000

In August 1997, our beautiful daughter, and only child, Shelly, was preparing to return to Samford University in Birmingham, AL, for her junior year. She was majoring in journalism, but was also interested in graphic design. She was intelligent, creative, out-going and compassionate. She had an engaging smile and loving heart. She loved writing, reading, designing web pages, crafts, helping children, Mexican food, music from Frank Sinatra toU2, movies, TV. She was full of ideas and full of life, with endless potential and possibilities.

On that fateful day in August, after a week of severe headaches, we learned she had a brain tumor. After an emergency surgery and consultations with local physicians and regional specialists, all we were offered was conventional treatments and, at best, a year’s survival for a glioblastoma grade IV tumor. Then, through a friend of a friend, we heard about Dr. Henry Friedman at Duke. We visited Duke, met Henry, Allan, and others on the brain tumor team and found a place of hope. For three years, they cared for Shelly and tried everything medically possible in her battles against this vicious disease. They offered her world-class medical care and endless love, compassion and support. She sank low at times, but soared high often and never gave up. Thanks to the two additional years gained from Duke’s care, she was able to experience the NC State Fair, her new red VW Beetle, a Duke basketball game, learning to cook, another semester at Samford, friends’ graduations and weddings.

Shelly loved the people at Duke and felt it was home for her. Although, she never was able to participate in any Angels Among Us events, we know she would join us in supporting these great efforts to help Duke find a cure and improve the patients’ quality of life. We miss our beautiful daughter terribly, but continue her fight and keep her memory alive by our support to the Brain Tumor Center.


Wayne & Cheri Jenkins, Shelly’s parents